MATT Nieto is sure he will sign up with NLEX, but whether he can readily see action for the Road Warriors in the PBA Governors Cup is an entirely different question.
According to NLEX coach Yeng Guiao, the former Ateneo star is set to affix his signature to the contract offered by the team that made him the third pick overall in the 2019 special draft for five members of the Gilas Pilipinas pool.
“Wala pang pirmahan pero alam ko this week,” Guiao told Malaya-Business Insight. “Meron na lang final details na inaayos, pero sigurado na.”
It will take some time, however, before Nieto can suit up for the Road Warriors in the season-ending conference since their roster is currently full.
“We will have to make room for him, but as of now hindi pa namin alam kung sino iyung mada-drop du’n sa 15-man lineup,” explained Guiao. “Hindi naman siya agad makakalaro. I don’t think we will put him in the lineup right away.
“Siguro mga two to three weeks of practice, just to learn the system, to know the guys, and then puwede na. Hindi naman agad-agad ilalagay sa lineup. We expect him (to join the practices) this week, as soon as he signs the contract, pa-practice siya. But it’s just formality.”
Sast Saturday, Nieto’s twin brother Mike inked a two-year contract with Rain or Shine, which chose him at No. 5 in the special proceedings.
Isaac Go and Rey Suerte, who went 1-2 in the draft, as well as fourth pick Allyn Bulanadi are also set to be signed by Terrafirma, Blackwater and Alaska, respectively, in the next few days.
Guiao also revealed that talks for fresh contracts have also begun with NLEX stalwarts JR Quinahan and Jericho Cruz, whose old contracts would run only until the end of the Governors Cup that resumes this Friday.
“Under negotiation pero hindi kami nagmamadali kasi meron naman silang extension,” related Guiao. “We have until the end of the conference to strike a deal with them. But I don’t think it’s going to be a problem. Nag-umpisa na. Meron na kaming initial talks.”
